Public Statements

Interest Rate Reduction Act

Floor Speech

Ms. LEE of California. First, let me thank Congressman Tierney for yielding and for your tireless leadership on this important issue.

It's clear to me the Republicans are not serious about addressing the student loan interest rate hikes with the so-called Interest Rate Reduction Act. Their bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing and would permanently end the prevention and public health fund established by the Affordable Care Act.

This prevention fund is the first mandatory funding stream dedicated to improving public health. It is extremely important in our fight to prevent chronic diseases, HIV, AIDS, and for women's health. This is such a sad and sinister ploy. Instead of pitting student loan relief for middle- and low-income families against critical preventive health services for middle- and low-income families, we should be working towards real solutions.

Instead of paying for subsidies to Big Oil, we should invest in our students, who are our future. This bill jeopardizes, mind you, jeopardizes the health of our Nation. It uses our students as pawns, and it is morally wrong.